Atop the forest of ice, and snow, shrouded by a thick white, mist three shadows were moving across the tree tops. Acacia flinched as single claw tore through the sleeves of his arms, and slid across his pale flesh, causing the drawn blood to seep into his sleeves. He immediately dodged to the side, and slid across the icy tree tops, with a single arm hidden in his back.
Tendrils of flames skidded across his fresh wound, charring his torn flesh, and burning his blood. A wave of energy immediately wrapped around the wound dispersing the flame. Acacia's eyes looked away from the attacker, and stared at the shadow above. The harpy with flaming wings dove past him to the tree's below.
He stared calmly at the other harpy circling in the outskirts, likely waiting for him to expose his guard, Acacia only gave his wound a momentary glance.
“My body can't keep up with my reactions, how saddening.”
The ice around him started to melt slightly, as a burst of warm air could be felt from below. The moment Acacia turned around, and looked downward at the flaming harpy coming for another flyby attack, the harpy in the sky above dove.
The silver feathered harpy condensed her body into an arrow, while sending bursts of air that caused the ice around her to break apart from the sheer force that was emitted. Acacia's left hand was still to his back hidden in his sleeves, as her sharp claws drew closer.
The clothes on his back burst apart, as needles of ice shot out from his robe slamming into her wings, chest, and clawed legs. The impact from the barrage of needles, knocked out her balance, and sent her spiralling into the tree, right next to Acacia whom merely side stepped. Seconds before she made contact, a surge of water, and ice engulfed her on the tree tops, trapping her in a prison of freshly frozen ice.
In that moment, Acacia jumped from the tree, into a free fall unto the flaming harpy. The Mist around the area started to converge into a single point above him, and followed him an like an intangible avalanche.
In that narrow view blocked by the trees, the harpy only noticed Acacia's body, and her flaming wings glowed brighter as her face formed a predatory grin, revealing her sharp canines.
Acacia was about to move the hand hidden in his back, when the mist rushed past him, and formed into a solitary hand that rushed into the harpy. The hand gripped the harpy's head, and slammed her to the ground below. The mist converged into that hand, giving it a sharper, smaller, and more dense form.
As soon as the harpy hit the ground below, the hand burst apart into a giant explosion, sending waves of white mist dispersing in all directions.
Acacia's free fall continued as the frozen trees rushed past him, he moved his free arm, and a pillar of water rose from the ground, and enveloped him. The water quickly changed into snow, and from soft snow, to thick hard ice. The ball of ice crashed into the winter landscape, the outer ice shell cracked, and fluffy snow burst out, from that pile of snow Acacia walked from it, with a light frown forming on his face.
“What was that?”
He stared idly at the fiery harpy flash frozen to the ground, and finally brought out the hand hidden in his sleeve, that was also latched unto his back. From his clenched fist, he opened his fingers, revealing five heavily condensed orbs of ice in his palm, and he threw them away.
The moment he tried to walk, Acacia felt parts of his body starting to weaken, and he ended up landing backwards on the snow. His eyes stared up at the sky, as the snow was gently falling downward above him.
“Twelve minutes..........”
Acacia ignored the fact that he was now lying on the snow, and focused on everything else on his mind.
Regeneration of mana under intense conditions are two times slower. Ability to react to attacks, unsatisfactory. Efficiency in the transition of mana, sub par.
He turned his head to stare at the gaping wound on his right arm, and the lacerations of flame that charred small portions of his skin.
My magic resistance was slow to react, but the durability seems acceptable.
The snow from the sky continued to fall, and threatened to bury him, when a shadow suddenly appeared over his body.
Acacia stared at the young girl with long red hair, that had traces of black, her delicate, and youthful face revealed a small grin, and her green eyes occasionally leaked black mist from her pupils.
“So you were here all long, Lumina.”
“Of course.” Lumina smiled as she placed a black staff next to Acacia's body.
“The adjustments you made to the staff is finally ready.”
Acacia nodded, but as he tried to get back up, he felt a soft pressure on his head. Her fingers touched his forehead, and gently pushed him back down.
Acacia frowned slightly.
“What's the meaning of this?”
Lumina's pale face glowed, as she revealed her pearly white teeth in a bright smile.
“I'm not letting you get up, master.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Acacia felt his head being lifted, and placed on something soft, and a sweet smell invaded his nose.
He ignored the lap pillow, and said in monotone. “I need to negotiate with the harpy sisters, before the phantom ice dissipates.”
“Don't worry, I'll deal with it. Master however, should rest. You took your experiments a little too far.” To emphasize the point, she ran her fingers near his wounds. Her wings released spores that covered Acacia's body like a thin shell.
“..... Are you ignoring my orders?”
“Yes I am, master.”
“.... You are not afraid of the consequences?
Lumina closed her eyes, then opened them, and looked downwards at Acacia.
“Unlike the grems, I have more knowledge about magic. You, and me, both know the loopholes existing in a magic contract.”
“..........”
“... And I also know you need my kind, so you won't do anything to them, and even if I die, a replacement for me already exists.”
Acacia's eyes narrowed slightly, and glared at Lumina. She ignored that glare, and casually brushed away the snow on Acacia's face, while gently combing his forelocks.
She moved her left hand to gently touch her own eyes. “Do you want my eye as an apology? Or my limbs?”
She casually traced her finger along her smooth, frail neck. “My neck?” Eventually her hands moved downward near her modest chest, and placed it on her heart.
“Or my life?”
“.............”
A small grin escaped her rosy lips.
“No matter what you choose, I will give it to you. However, only after you rest your body.”
The thin shell surrounding him grew more dense, and Acacia could feel his entire being grow more relaxed, and drowsy.
Acacia closed his eyes, and muttered.
“You win this round.”
“Thank you master.”
“.... Lumina.”
“Yes, master?”
A small silence that lasted several seconds filled the personal space.
“Are you curious?”
“I would be lying if I said I'm not.”
“Are you going to ask?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm patient.”
“I see.”
The spores released from her wings, condensed in her palm, as she gently touched Acacia's cheek, sending him off to a deep sleep.
The snow slowly fell, trying to blanket everything in pure white.
Lumina stared at Acacia's sleeping face.
“Has it been fifty years already?”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“...o.”
“.....lo.”
“Hello.”
“............”
“Can you hear me?”
“..............”
“Well it doesn't matter, it seems you're also barely alive.”
“Ah ah.”
“Looks like your throat was crushed huh, a pity. Can you open your eyes?”
“Ahaa.”
“Well thanks to me you managed to live a bit longer, but how ironic..”
“........”
“To think after a millenia, a person would finally reach this temple, truly a shame. Because without me, this temple will soon collapse as well.
“Ah?”
“If only you came a few hundred years sooner....”
The androgynous voice continued to sigh.
“Really, if only you came sooner.....”
“......”
“Well... At the very least I'll let you catch a glimpse of where you are before we die.”
The thick darkness slowly changed, as a small beam of light shone in the epicentre of the darkness. The brilliant light grew, brighter, and brighter, until an explosion revealed the dark room. A giant ball of dark glass appeared in front of me. Thick massive chains covered in runes, emanated a terrifying aura, as it trapped a vague shadow hidden within the ball made of crystals.
The vague shadow glowed inside the dark glass, as it whispered into my ears.
“It was nice meeting you, and goodbye.”
The vague shadow started to tremble, and react violently, eventually the form shattered inside the glass, and turned to mist. The stone walls in the room trembled, as pillars collapsed, stone blocks fell, and water quickly flowed into the room.
I knew I was about to die, I only survived a few seconds longer because of that thing, but it was a shame I couldn't speak.
I wanted to say goodbye to that thing as well, it sounded lonely, and tired.
But, it was nice to have someone to talk to before I die as well.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Life was short, unfair, and painful.
But, at least I won't be dying alone.
So, even though you can't hear me, goodbye, and thank you for the company.
I closed my eyes, as I felt the rushing water engulf me.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acacia's eye's flashed open to stare at a black ceiling, a soft blanket was now covering him, and a nostalgic warmth covered his face. When he stared at the side, a small white furball was nestled near his cheeks.
Acacia turned back to stare at the ceiling.
“It seems more, and more are showing up lately. I thought it settled down, but I guess I was wrong.”
Pinky's ears perked up at Acacia whispering to himself, it purred gently, and licked his cheeks a few times, before going back to sleep.
Before Acacia could even think about what to do next, Lumina appeared right next to his bedside.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“Do you have a report?”
“.......”
“What?”
“I think you should have your breakfast first.”
Lumina put down a wooden bowl filled with fruits, and vegetables. A cup of milk, and sweet nectar was mixed into the warm drink.
Acacia started to eat, as Lumina made her report.
“The sisters accepted a contract with us, as long as we offer an alternative source of food that would allow them to increase their population growth, land sovereignty, and expanded territory.”
“Is that all?”
“No, we have to finalize more details, before all the harpies will lend their aid, and accept your rule.”
“So they made a contract with you already?”
Lumina, nodded.
“I can transfer it to you, when we meet them again.”
“No it's fine, You can coordinate with them.”
Acacia took a sip of the milk, and nodded.
“Not bad, where did you get the milk from?”
Lumina blushed, and touched her cheeks in an embarrassed manner, as she swayed her head left, and right.
Acacia face stiffened.
Lumina then stopped, and replied in a monotone manner, “mare's milk.”
“Ah ok. It's good.”
After finishing the cup he asked another question.
“What of the final details?”
Lumina paused for a few seconds in thought before answering.
“I told them we would visit them when you are ready, so they sent a guide to us. She's currently in the tower.”
“Shall we go now?”
Lumina did not answer, but instead lifted up his arms that were bandaged, and inspected various area's on his body. After the silent probing, she turned back to Acacia.
“Yes master, let's go.”
This time instead of going alone, Lumina accompanied him for travel, and outside the tower a single harpy roughly six foot tall, with brown feathers, led the way. The sky was sunny, and bright so travel would not be hindered. The harpy carried a sack filled with food as a courtesy, and Acacia was now carrying a black staff, that seemed to mirror the night itself.
When they travelled far enough they entered a dirt road, where a small convoy of horse drawn carriages await, followed by a small escort of grems armed with bows, and swords sent from Iron Road. Each legion had a specialty the majority focused on, but still contained training, and weapons for different roles, to make each legion more well rounded.
The travel could be said for a lack of a better word peaceful. After a few days, the convoy stopped at the outskirts of the ancient forest, and the guide flew ahead to announce their arrival. Pretty soon, a small vanguard of harpies appeared, and lead the way.
Instead of the other grems following, only Acacia, and Lumina went ahead.
“Master, are you sure you don't want them to stand guard at the base of the mountain?”
“Do I look like a helpless, senile old man?”
“Hmmm.”
“Anyways, it's easier to escape with just us.”
The harpies flew slowly always waiting a few step ahead, as Acacia slowly walked through the forest. Lumina floated beside Acacia, and stared at him silently.
“So what did your experiments tell you?”
Acacia cupped his chin, as he stared at the thick tree trunks covering his view.
“It's inefficient for me to fight single targets. Each magic I use is more suited to fighting groups, while I can target individuals, it is simply put a needless strain on my mana reserves.”
“How long can you last?”
“Probably twelve minutes in intensive movement.”
“So you making a move would probably be best as a last resort.”
“Well I am the leader after all, it would be absolutely pointless to have an army, but I end up doing all the work, right?”
“I guess you'll have to be the type to send an army against a single powerful person, then swoop in like a coward to deal the final blow?”
“Hmmm, something like that could work, we'll see.”
As they continued the conversation, they faced the foot of the mountain. It was dyed in pure white, where the peaks were covered in a thick clouds. The familiar harpy guide swooped down next to Acacia.
“Please allow me to carry you.”
Acacia only nodded, as the harpy gently clasped his arms with her legs, as she carried him upward. The higher up they flew the more thin the air was, and a mysterious pressure weighed down on him.
Even Lumina had to give up flying, and let another harpy carry her upwards. They eventually reached a massive rookery to the side of the mountain, where thousands of nests lay. Acacia recognized the three sisters in the center, followed by a strange multicolored harpy, that surprisingly had arms, detached from her her wings. It looked no different then a human with wings, albeit with birdlike limbs.
“An evolved form?”
The multicolored harpy walked forward, and bowed courteously.
“I am the brood mother of this nest, welcome.”
“Thank you for having us.”
Both Lumina, and Acacia displayed a form of courtesy. Acacia then faced the harpy.
“That bow, you know human customs?”
The brood mother nodded.
“I've traveled around.”
He glanced at the three sisters.
“Those sisters, don't seem to have common blood normally found in harpies.”
“I found a lot of interesting lovers, hehe.”
Right I almost forgot, harpies are an all female race, they mate with males from other humanoid species to fertilize eggs. It's been known for harpies to capture males of other races, and force them to breed with the entire colony..
Acacia spotted bones of animals, and some fruits, and plants.
So these ones are omnivorous huh?
The brood mother stared at Acacia, and smiled revealing her fanged teeth.
“Aside from alternative food, more territory, and the right to govern our own land, we require one more thing.”
“That is?”
“We want you to supply us with men. The humans we usually targeted have been wiped out, and are now all missing. I know that you lead those short men, I want them as breeding material to increase my colonies population.”
“.........”
Acacia remained silent for awhile. Harpies in general were born attractive as a racial trait to entice males, mainly humans, or humanoids. There existed many types of subspecies, some hedonistic, some pragmatic, some violent, and some were plain wild animals. To offer up men to them, would mean that a man would have to breed with thousands of beautiful harpies for their entire lives.
“Do you want to just increase population, or to just breed with men?”
The brood mother stared at Acacia in a confused manner.
“Is there a difference?”
“Yes, I'll like to offer a counter proposal.”
After a good long while, a decision was made, and the brood mother formed a contract with Acacia. Later in the night a long conversation was held on terms, and benefits, later Acacia was escorted back down the mountain. He eventually walked back to where the grems were waiting, and they rode back to the tower.
Along the way Acacia turned to Lumina.
“Do you think they're usable?”
“They can fly longer, higher, and generally have more endurance. They could make for decent lookouts, scouts, and messengers.”
Acacia nodded, and added to the point.
“Aside from those three sisters, the rest can only do dives, flyby attacks, and melee. They have the ability to deliver a sonic based attack at mid range to paralyze their opponents, but that's about it.”
“So to improve the harpies' utility what do you suggest?”
Acacia remained silent as he stared at the sky.
“We can develop tools to overlap their clawed legs, with metallic blades, or make some device for them to use, that resembles ranged weapons, I could synthesize their leaders with stronger materials, or …..”
“Or?”
“Hmm, I'll think about it later.”
Acacia sighed as he leaned on the carriage, staring at the water in a small canister, and a small memory that resurfaced.
“A shame, was it?”
Comments: Meh I did label this action, but not really feeling it with the opponent type match ups. I'll make a real one eventually, when the situation/mood presents itself.